ABSTRACT
Objective: To provide scientific validation for the antipyretic activities of Amaranthus viridis (Linn.), Amaranthus caudatus (Linn.) and Amaranthus spinosus (Linn.). Methods: The antipyretic activity of methanol extracts of all three plants at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg was investigated by yeast induced pyrexia in rats. Paracetamol (150 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as reference drug and control group received distilled water. Rectal temperatures of all the rats were recorded and compared at 19 h, immediately before extract or vehicle or paracetamol administration, and again at 1 h interval up to 24 h by thermal probe Eliab themistor thermometer. Results: At 400 mg/kg dose all the three methanolic extracts showed significant (P<0.01) reduction in yeast provoked elevated temperature as compared with that of standard drug paracetamol, whereas 200 mg/kg dose is less effective when compared with higher dose (P<0.05). Conclusions: The results show that methanol extract of three plants of Amaranthus possesses a significant antipyretic effect in maintaining reducing yeast-induced elevated body temperature in rats and their effects were comparable to that of the standard antipyretic drug paracetamol.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant and hair growth activities of Buxus wallichiana Baill [Buxaceae]. Petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts of Buxus wallichiana subjected to antioxidant activity by; 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl and nitric oxide methods. Methanol extract of Buxus wallichiana at 50, 100 mg/kg, ointment of methanol extract at 5 and 10% used for the evaluation of hair growth property. Methanol extract showed potential antioxidant activity. Methanol extract at 100 mg/kg showed consistent and significant increase in mean score of hair growth from day 3 to day 24. Whereas 50 mg/kg increased the mean score significantly, only from day 15 to day 24. When methanol extract at 10% applied topically, significant increase in mean hair score observed only from day 15, but at 5% showed considerable increase in mean hair score only from day 21 and 24, when compared to the control. Conclusion The result of this study suggests that Methanol extract of Buxus wallichiana possess good antioxidant and hair growth activity